Synthesis and characterization of single-phase submicron zeolite Y from coal fly ash and its potential application for acetone adsorption

Abstract The large emission of coal fly ash (CFA) brings a series of environmental and health problems. Therefore, it is extremely necessary and significant to explore efficient ways to reuse fly ash. Zeolitization of CFA provides a potential alternative for creating high-added-value products from this hazardous solid waste. But the synthesis of zeolite from CFA is still a long way from industrialization. In this paper, a single-phase submicron zeolite Y (FAZ-Y3) was successfully synthesized from CFA via the alkali fusion hydrothermal method without the use of any organic structure guide agents. Results indicated that the type and purity of zeolite greatly depended on the preparation parameters and zeolite P was the major competitive phase. With an average size of approximately 250 nm, FAZ-Y3 possessing a specific surface area of 386.9 m2 g−1 and crystallinity of 92.73% was prepared at 80 °C for 12 h by adding the inorganic liquid-phase directing agent and exhibited excellent thermal stability. The product was then applied to acetone adsorption. It was found that Langmuir and Bangham model could better describe the experimental data and internal diffusion was the main resistance of mass transfer. The adsorption capacity of FAZ-Y3 could reach approximately 82% of that for the commercial zeolite Y (CZ-Y) and it also possessed considerable regenerability property. The results of this study provided a foundation for the synthesis of a low-cost adsorbent for controlling the emission of volatile organic compounds.